Crotone at Christmas, what to do during the holidays and New Year's Eve in Calabria, what to eat and what to visit low cost.
Crotone, why visit it between Christmas and New Year? Because it is one of the southernmost provinces of the whole of Italy, it boasts one of the richest offers in terms of historical and cultural heritage, with roots that sink, solid, in the past, giving completeness and stability to the social identity as a whole.
There are low cost flights from Bergamo, Pisa and Rome with Ryanair leading directly to the city and, this time, the trend could be reversed towards the south for the Christmas markets and the New Year's holiday. On Sila you can also find the harsh winter temperatures and, easily, the snow that so much accompany the common mental associations and stereotypes related to the Christmas period.
What does Crotone offer during the Christmas period?
Xmas Invasion is the title given to an all-round event that begins on December 16 and continues, without any interruption, but growing, until January 6, 2015. Its subtitle is speaking and completes the Christmas invasion already announced: "exhibitions , meetings, concerts, theater, tastings, socializing, aggregation. "
In short, there is something for everyone, no one excluded, that Christmas is collectivity, sharing and involvement of even the most reluctant.
Christmas markets: on 21 December in Via XXV Aprile and on 28 December in via Mario Nicoletta there will be stands with the exhibition of culinary products and local crafts, with the involvement of the city's merchants, entertainment for children and the inevitable Santa Claus on the sled for the joy of the little ones, otherwise what would Christmas be?
Then there will be the gospel choirs, dance shows, puppet theater and lots of good music broadcast by the local radio Studio 97.
The city waterfront will host the event "Between tradition and innovation" on 23, 25, 27 and 29 December, it is expected the involvement of young people who will be able to taste typical products.
What to see in Crotone?
La history wants the city to be the protagonist of Magna Graecia, of the Middle Ages, of the Arab world, of the era of Spanish domination, which first formed the city's backbone, wanted the construction of castles on the surrounding hills and noble houses, and influenced culture, language and cooking. I believe all of this is a excellent starting point to continue discovering the undoubted wealth that this province can offer.
In the city, not to be missed, is the National archeologic museum of Crotone, a visit to Castle tower and to the church of the Immaculate Conception with its very particular crypt used for the conservation of 490 skulls of the brotherhood.
Out of town, to be highlighted, is the presence of ben 32 castles in the hinterland of Crotone, built around the fifteenth century and recovered in the last ten years, reflecting the commitment made by local administrations towards their own territory. Of particular charm are the Castle of Caccuri and that of Santa Severina, both located in the homonymous villages.
The first, privately owned, offers four accommodations in b & b with furnishings recovered within the structure itself and used by the castellans residing in previous periods; the second is used as a museum, open to guided tours thanks to volunteers passionate about local history. Both offer breathtaking views of the valleys below and preserve a timeless charm kept alive by their use for various activities in the contemporary era, such as exhibitions, literary prizes, concerts.
It should also be noted that Santa Severina It is one of most beautiful villages in Italy thanks to its Castle passed by the hands of the Byzantines, Normans, Swabians, Angevins and Aragonese and to the Diocesan Museum which collects furnishings, sacred vestments, canvases, statues and works of art in general in which the utmost historical and cultural respect is perceived for what was found and collected over the centuries.
Do not forget a visit, possibly guided, to Capo Colonna, to its museum and archaeological site, and then moved to Le Castella, a look towards the south: it is one of the southernmost points of Italy, beyond only the Mediterranean as far as the eye can see and one of the most enchanting sunsets in all of Calabria.
Where to eat in Crotone?
It is located in one of the most central squares of Crotone, from where the courses for the weekend stroll start To gghijazza, a typical restaurant, where the food is refined, abundant and delicious. A thousand-course guarantee, but Crotone is also this: its cuisine completes the story of the city.
